Erasable portable easel

Abstract

An apparatus for the display and presentation of materials, such as an artist's painting, has a first planar member that includes a glossy surface on one side that is adapted to receive a marking thereon and which is readily erasable. The first planar member also includes a lip adapted to hold the painting adjacent to and in parallel planar alignment with respect to the first planar member. A second planar member that preferably includes a smaller length and width than the first planar member is disposed behind the first planar member and is hingedly attached thereto about an axis with a membrane type of an elastomeric hinge that is attached to both the first and second planar members. A first end of a cord passes through a first aperture in the first planar member and the lip where it is secured in position. The cord extends through a second and a third aperture in the second planar member and back to the first planar member where it passes through a fourth aperture where it is secured where desired along the length of the cord by an adjustable stopper. By adjusting the position of the stopper, the length of cord intermediate the first end and the stopper is varied. As the length of the cord is varied, the position of an end of the second planar member that is opposite the membrane hinge is determined as it pivots about the axis either closer to or further away from the first planar member. The second end of the cord passes through a fifth aperture in the first planar member and is secured in a notch formed in the first planar member to provide a carrying strap for portage of the device.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An erasable, portable easel, comprising: 
       (a) a first planar member that is substantially rectangular in shape having a predetermined length, width, and thickness and including a glossy surface disposed on one side thereof, said glossy surface being adapted to receive a temporary marking thereupon and also being adapted for the erasure of said temporary marking and subsequent reuse;  
       (b) a second planar member that is substantially rectangular in shape having a predetermined length, width, and thickness and having a first end and a second end and including means for pivotally attatching said first end to said first planar member about an axis;  
       (c) means for limiting the maximum distance said second end is disposed away from said first planar member; and  
       (d) a lip adapted for receiving an object thereon, said lip attached to said first planar member at a side thereof having said glossy surface;  
       wherein said means for limiting includes a cord having a first end and a second end, said first end passing through a first aperture formed in said first planar member and said lip and extending through a second aperture in said second planar member and through a third aperture in said second planar member back to said first planar member and passing through a fourth aperture in said first planar member and said lip.  
     
     
       2. The easel of claim  1  including a first position wherein said second end of said second planar member is disposed away from said first planar member. 
     
     
       3. The easel of claim  2  including a second position wherein said second end of said second planar member is disposed adjacent to said first planar member. 
     
     
       4. The easel of claim  3  wherein when said easel is disposed in said second position, said first aperture aligns with said second aperture and said third aperture aligns with said fourth aperture. 
     
     
       5. The easel of claim  1  including first means for preventing said first end of said cord from passing through said first aperture in a direction generally from said glossy surface to a surface opposite said glossy surface. 
     
     
       6. The easel of claim  5  wherein said first means for preventing includes a knot formed in said first end of said cord, said knot having a diameter greater than said first aperture. 
     
     
       7. The easel of claim  1  including second means for preventing said cord from passing through said fourth aperture in a direction generally from said glossy surface to a surface opposite said glossy surface. 
     
     
       8. The easel of claim  7  wherein said second means for preventing includes a stopper disposed on said cord, said stopper having a first stopper position that is adapted for moving said stopper along the length of said cord and a second stopper position that is adapted for preventing the movement of said stopper along the length of said cord. 
     
     
       9. The easel of claim  1  wherein said means for pivotally attaching said first end to said first planar member includes an elastomeric hinge. 
     
     
       10. The easel of claim  1  wherein said means for pivotally attaching said first end to said first planar member includes a membrane hinge. 
     
     
       11. The easel of claim  10  wherein said membrane hinge is attached to said first planar member and to said second planar member by an adhesive. 
     
     
       12. The easel of claim  1  including means for carrying said easel. 
     
     
       13. The easel of claim  12  wherein said means for carrying includes a slot formed in said first planar member, said slot adapted for use as a handle. 
     
     
       14. The easel of claim  12  wherein said means for carrying includes said cord including a knot formed in said first end of said cord thereby increasing the diameter of said cord sufficient to prevent said first end from passing through said first aperture and wherein said second end passes through a fifth aperture provided through said first planar member and rests in a notch formed in an edge of said first planar members, and wherein said second end includes a knot thereby increasing the diameter of said cord sufficient to prevent said second end from passing through said notch, and including an excess length of cord said excess length of cord adapted for placement over the shoulder of a user. 
     
     
       15. The easel of claim  14  including a shoulder strap member that is formed of a soft material and which is disposed around said cord intermediate said first end and said second end. 
     
     
       16. The easel of claim  1 , including elastomeric means wherein said elastomeric means includes a membrane hinge. 
     
     
       17. The easel of claim  16  wherein said membrane hinge is attached to said first planar member and to said second planar member by an adhesive.